Sabit Brokaj

Brokaj was born 7 January 1942, in Vlorë, Albania during the Italian occupation of Albania.[1] From 1959 to 1964, Brokaj served as a medical assistant on a submarine.[1] After graduating from the University of Tirana's medical faculty in 1969, Brokaj went on to serve as medical chief of a brigade in Shijak from 1969 to 1972.[1][2] From 1972 to 1984, Brokaj worked as a cardiologist at military hospital in Tirana.[1][2] He traveled to France to study cardiology in 1979 and echocardiology in 1982.[2] During this period, Brokaj was one of Enver Hoxha's personal physicians.[2]

In 1984, Brokaj left the military to become a professor at a medical school in Tirana.[1] He was promoted to Deputy Dean of the school in 1987, and Dean in 1989.[1][2] He held this position until he left the school in 1991.[2]

During his medical career, Brokaj was a rival of fellow cardiologist Sali Berisha.[2] Berisha would go on to be President and Prime Minister of Albania as a member of the conservative Democratic Party of Albania. Their rivalry continued during their political careers, to the point that reports stated they were not on speaking terms.[2]

Brokaj entered into Albanian politics following the fall of communism in Albania, and was seen as a member of the Socialist Party's "old guard".[2] He first served as Minister of Health from February to December 1991.[1] He was elected Deputy of the People's Assembly in 1991, 1996, and 1997.[1] In 1992 he was elected to the presidency of the Socialist Party of Albania.[1] On 25 July 1997, Brokaj was appointed Minister of Defence.[1] His leadership as Defence Minister was seen as lacking, especially because it took place following the 1997 unrest in Albania.[1] The damage to military assets at the time was extensive, and many pieces of military equipment were stolen by rioters. These stolen assets even included Chinese-made HY-1 surface-to-air missiles.[3] To help rebuild the Albanian military following the unrest, Brokaj turned to Turkey and Greece.

Brokaj was fluent in English, French, Russian, and Italian. He was married with two children.[1]

He died on 13 September 2020, aged 78.[4]